Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park

Introduction of Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park

The gardens are a masterwork of floral architecture and include a charming brick walkway, secret garden, reflecting pool, walled garden, and numerous camellias and azaleas.
After buying the land for their holiday residence in 1923, Alfred B. and Louise Maclay created the first of the lovely decorative gardens.

Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming are all possible in Lake Hall. Boats without gasoline engines are acceptable. The lakefront has pavilions and grills that make it the ideal location for a picnic.

Two brief nature trails that meander through the trees and provide views of the lake are available to walkers. Six miles of shared-use trails and five miles of specifically designated bicycle routes meander through the woods around Lake Overstreet, which is situated on park land next to the gardens, and are open to hikers, cyclists, and horses.

The period of time with the most blossoming is from January 1 to April 30. The floral peak is in mid- to late March. A special fee is required to enter the grounds and the old Maclay House during these months.

The Tour of Gardens in May, Kids Fishing Day in June, Scarecrows, Moon Over Maclay – Jazz in the Gardens, and Camellia Christmas in December are just a few examples of the annual special events. All year round, additional activities and ranger programmes are available.

Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park Activities

Boating

There is a boat ramp accessible. The park boat ramp does not allow the use of gasoline motors. Canoeing, kayaking, and small sailboats are great on Lake Hall. Only boats with electric motors or those without engines are permitted. The majority of the lake’s shoreline is privately owned, visitors are informed. Please be considerate of others’ property. There are a few kayaks available for hire in the park. As you enter the park, check the Ranger Station for availability.

Bicycling

Approximately five miles of multi-use trails are available in the park’s Lake Overstreet area for hiking, biking, and equestrian riding. Views of Lake Overstreet and a ravine network that matches North Georgia’s are available from these routes. On the Overstreet property, there are also three miles of dedicated bike routes for beautiful bicycling. Only wildlife is permitted to use Lake Overstreet, and people may observe it for aesthetic purposes.

Fishing

Lake Hall is a good place to catch bluegill, bream, and largemouth bass. In Florida, you need a freshwater fishing licence. It is not permitted to fish in Lake Overstreet.

Hiking

Overlooking Lake Hall, the Big Pine and Boy Scout nature walks meander across forested slopes. Both trails may be completed in less than an hour by inexperienced hikers. Over 5 miles of hiking and running pathways may be found on the park’s multi-use trails near Lake Overstreet. The gardens of Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park are a floral marvel and were first established in 1923. Hundreds of azaleas, dogwoods, magnolias, and other trees combine with hundreds of camellia bushes to create a stunning display of blossoms from December to April. The grounds include a charming brick path, a walled garden, a hidden garden, and a reflecting pool.

Historic Sites

Alfred B. Maclay, a New York businessman, purchased the property in 1923 and designed this magnificent work of floral architecture for his family’s vacation home in the south on the gently undulating hills overlooking Lake Hall. Here, the Maclays hosted a number of notable guests, including the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. The park was once known as Killearn Plantation and Gardens in tribute to Maclay’s family home in Scotland. Later, the name of the park was changed to reflect its founder. Following Maclay’s passing in 1944, his widow Louise Maclay carried on improving the gardens before donating them to the state in 1953. In 1994, the Lake Overstreet property was bought. In 2002, the park and gardens were added to the National Register of Historic Places. A section of the Maclay-Phipps Cultural Heritage Greenway is the property.

Picnicking

The most scenic picnic location in north Florida has a sizable picnic pavilion that may be rented, and it overlooks Lake Hall. Alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed.

Horseback Riding

Approximately five miles of multi-use trails are available in the park’s Lake Overstreet area for hiking, biking, and equestrian riding. Views of Lake Overstreet and a ravine network that matches North Georgia’s are available from these routes. Only wildlife is permitted to use Lake Overstreet, and people may observe it for aesthetic purposes.

Water Sports

The Lake Hall Recreation Area offers swimming in approved places.

Alfred B Maclay Gardens State Park History

A successful banker and financier from New York, Alfred Maclay. When he and his wife Louise Fleischmann Maclay visited Tallahassee in 1923, he was struck with the city’s massive oaks, pines, dogwoods, and hollies. He made the decision that this would be their winter residence as well as the location where he would realise his longtime desire of developing a stunning garden. They built one of Florida’s most exquisite decorative gardens throughout the years.
With a lovely brick pathway, a secret garden, a reflection pool, a walled garden, and hundreds of camellias and azaleas, the gardens are now a marvel of floral architecture.

The gardens were bequeathed to the state of Florida by Mrs. Maclay and her children in 1953, nine years after Mr. Maclay’s passing. She made it clear that she wanted the gardens to always be kept up as a tribute to her husband and his invention and made accessible to the general public for visitors’ and Floridians’ delight.

Seasonality/Weather

The peak flowering period runs from mid-to-late March through April 30.

Transportation

Driving

The Alfred B. Maclay Gardens are there. U.S. 319/Thomasville Road is located 5 miles north of I-10. Follow Maclay Road to the west. A little distance to the right lies the park.

Parking

Parking is available.

Public Transport

Public Transport is available.